Race, class and Marxism

[Somalina]

Marxism has been accused by its critics of misunderstanding race and downplaying the struggle against racism. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor sets the record straight.

 

January 4, 2011

 

FOR REVOLUTIONARY Marxists, there is an inextricable link between racism and capitalism. Capitalism is dependant on racism as both a source of profiteering, but more importantly as a means to divide and rule. Racism is necessary to drive a wedge between workers who otherwise have everything in common and every reason to ally and organize together, but who are perpetually driven apart to the benefit of the ruling class.

 

Thus, any serious discussion about Black liberation has to take up not only a critique of capitalism, but also a credible strategy for ending it. For Marxists, that strategy hinges on the revolutionary potential of a unified, multiracial and multi-ethnic working class upheaval against capitalism.

 

Marxists believe that the potential for that kind of unity is dependant on battles and struggles against racism today. Without a commitment by revolutionary organizations in the here and now to the fight against racism, working class unity will never be achieved and the revolutionary potential of the working class will never be realized.

 

Read the rest at

http://socialistworker.org/2011/01/04/race-class-and-marxism

[Hales]

The events of the past 100 years tells us that Communism is a failed system of governance.